Financial planning in India, one decision at a time

What do I need to start a financial plan?

Gather your take-home income, ordinary spending, loan payments and savings. Add account balances and contribution details where available. Approximate inputs can help you explore; check them against your records before relying on the result.

1. Estimate spending. Include annual bills divided by twelve, insurance premiums and irregular costs. Keep loan repayments visible to avoid counting the same expense twice.
2. List goals with dates. Distinguish today's costs from future costs. Separate an upcoming purchase from a retirement that might last decades.
3. Review available funds. Money locked in an account or earmarked for another goal may not be available when you need it.
4. Compare the whole plan. Test a later goal date, different spending or a smaller purchase. Read funding shortfalls as well as target amounts.

SEBI identifies goals, time horizon, risk tolerance, liquidity and taxes as factors to consider before investing. Read SEBI’s explanation.

How much do I need for retirement in India?

There is no single corpus that fits every household. Your estimate depends on spending, the years it must cover, inflation, other income, available accounts and uncertain returns.

The FIRE calculator gives a quick benchmark of 25 times annual expenses. Treat it as a starting comparison. In the full planner, review retirement dates, household funding and account availability and assumptions together.

Test lower returns and higher spending, and read why a fixed 12% return can mislead. A successful projection is conditional on its inputs, not a promise that savings will last.

Can I buy a home and keep retirement on track?

Check the initial cash needed and the continuing monthly commitment. A manageable EMI alone does not show whether the down payment leaves enough for other goals.

Use the home planner to explore price, down payment, interest, tenure and upfront costs. Replace illustrative location values with current quotations and actual property charges. Compare rent and buy using consistent assumptions, then add the home goal to your household plan.

How do I plan for a child’s education?

Start with a course’s current cost and the years until enrolment. Keep tuition, living costs and overseas currency exposure distinct. Use your own cost-growth assumption; a generic inflation rate is not a fee quotation.

Add an education goal to the planner and review its savings alongside retirement and the home goal. Revisit the estimate when the course or timing changes. Avoid assigning the same savings balance to several goals.

Choose a free calculator

Questions before you begin

Is StratLab really free?

Yes. Financial planning is free. An optional DBI conversation is separate; you can use the planner without requesting one.

Do I need to sign in?

You can start as a guest. Sign in to keep saved plans available in your account and return to them later.

Will DBI automatically receive my financial plan?

No. A DBI review request asks separately for contact and plan-sharing permission. You control those choices and can withdraw them. See the privacy policy.

Are the projected returns guaranteed?

No. Entered returns are assumptions. AMFI explains that mutual funds carry investment risk and past performance does not guarantee future performance. Read AMFI’s risk explanation.

Where can I check how the numbers work?

The assumptions and sources describe defaults, account timing, dated references and the distinction between targets and household funding. Read the limitations before acting.